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Extinct (EX) – No known individuals remaining.

Extinct in the Wild (EW) – Known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized population outside its historic range.

Critically Endangered (CR) – Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered (EN) – High risk of extinction in the wild.

Vulnerable (VU) – High risk of endangerment in the wild.

Near Threatened (NT) – Likely to become endangered in the near future.

Least Concern (LC) – Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a higher risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

Data Deficient (DD) – Not enough data to make an assessment of its risk of extinction.

Not Evaluated (NE) – Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.

Tufted Puffin

Common Name: Tufted Puffin

Scientific Name:Fratercula cirrhata

Distribution:

Tufted puffins are widespread in the North Pacific Ocean and nest on coastlines and offshore islands from southern California to Alaska and across the ocean from Japan to the shores of northeastern Asia.

Conservation Status: Widely distributed species with very few population concerns.

Average Wingspan: 30 inches

Average Weight: 600-800 grams

Plumage Description:

The tufted puffin has a distinctive breeding plumage in the summer, followed by a dark eclipse plumage in the winter. Starting in March, their breeding plumage of golden plumes behind the eyes and a bright white facemask grows in. The bill becomes a bright reddish orange and grows a beige bill covering, called a rhamphotheca, at the base. When breeding ends in the early summer, puffins lose their plumes and face mask, the bright colors of the bill turn to a dull reddish-brown, and their overall appearance is that of a simple dark black seabird.

Diet in the Wild: Small fish, squid, octopus, crabs, zooplankton, and jellyfish

Number of Eggs Per Clutch: 1 egg

Incubation Period: 42 days

Habitat:

Although puffins spend a majority of the year on the ocean (pelagic), they build their nests on the shores of islands and coastal regions. They require shores with steep, grassy, sloping land with soil that allows them to dig burrows. Their burrows are typically two to six feet long, and four to six inches in diameter.